Federal Way Church of Christ Sermons

Evil is real and goes far deeper than human dysfunction or misunderstanding. We must open our eyes to the spiritual battle around us, put on the armor of God, and join with the Holy Spirit in prayer against the enemy's schemes of deception, corruption, and shame.

Though they may seem strange—the spiritual gifts of healing, tongues, and prophecy are meant to be invitations to deeper life with God, calling us into powerful, intimate, and listening prayer as we build one another up in love.

Though spiritual gifts have often been a source of confusion and harm, scripture teaches us that there are many gifts rooted in God for the body of Christ. In this sermon we learn from scripture, dispel some common myths, and turn toward prayer as we eagerly desire the gifts of the Spirit.

Walking with the Spirit is an active, ongoing relationship that transforms us—individually and communally—from living by the flesh to bearing fruit that reflects God's character, cultivated through prayers of confession, contemplation, and invitation as we keep in step with the Spirit's lead.

Tracing the story of God's presence from Eden to eternity shows us how God is making us into his temple today—a house of prayer where the Holy Spirit dwells and from which rivers of living water flow to bring life to the world.

If we want to be a people of prayer, we need to get to know the Holy Spirit. In this sermon, we explore how the Holy Spirit is not an abstract force but a living person who draws us into prayer, testifies our identity as God's beloved children, and intercedes for us and with us in our weakness.

Jesus' resurrection is the anchor in our storms, the answer to our prayers, and the source of abundant life that transforms our fear, despair, and scarcity into faith, hope, and love.

As we enter Holy Week, we hear Jesus' teaching around the table with his disciples where he calls them to be servants, warns them about Satan, and shows us how to join him in his ongoing prayer for the church.

As we pray God's heart for the world, we consider Jesus' heart for children: to welcome children in his name, to let children come to him without hindrance, and to receive become childlike by receiving God's kingdom with wonder, joy, and playfulness.

Jesus challenges us to see strangers differently—both those in need and those from different backgrounds—as we learn to pray with God's compassionate heart and become neighbors to all we encounter.

Jesus calls his followers to pray for workers in the harvest, then sends them out as the answer to that prayer—building relationships, bringing healing, and proclaiming God's kingdom.

Intercessory prayer is praying God's heart for a hurting world. Jesus' Spirit-anointed mission to the oppressed invites us to pray for those in need and participate in their liberation.

Authentic prayer leads us through reflection, repentance, and reconciliation to acts of mercy and justice.

True kingdom, power, and glory belong to God alone and are expressed through humility, service, and sacrifice rather than control.

A humble and honest prayer for guidance and protection as we follow God in his Kingdom every day.

In prayer, we confess our sins, receive forgiveness, and become a people of forgiveness.

Jesus teaches us to approach God with childlike vulnerability, bring our ordinary daily needs to Him in prayer, and participate in meeting one another's needs as part of a praying community.

"Your Will Be Done" is a prayer for God to act and for us to be transformed.

Praying "Your Kingdom Come" means asking God to displace the kingdoms that are at war with his own.

Hallowing God's name means remembering who God is and responding with wonder and awe.

The prayer Jesus taught us opens by rooting us in the reality of heaven, the character of God, and the communion of saints.

Jesus begins his teaching on prayer by clearing away destructive postures and asking two simple, practical questions.

The gospel of Luke invites us to continue celebrating Christmas with Mary, Joseph, Anna, and Simeon.

The fullness of time has come in Jesus and is available today.

Living in the fullness of time invites us into a hope-filled relationship with the future.

Living in the fullness of time invites us into a redeemed relationship with our past.

God is inviting us out of the shallows and into the depths of the fullness of time.

The body and blood of Jesus is our true Thanksgiving.

We praise God with new songs!

God is a creative craftsman who is will renew his creation, redeem our creations, and repair all brokenness.

God is a place-making God, constantly extending his creative hospitality.

The Lord is a creative God who calls us to be a creative people.

The Sign of Jonah is a warning, a welcome, and a wonder.

The conclusion of Jonah sets God's compassion front and center.

Nineveh is overturned by the God of compassion.

Growth and transformation can take place in us during our periods of waiting.

Jonah prays through his descent toward death and the Lord appoints a great fish to rescue him.

The sailors' fear is a foil to Jonah's faithlessness.

This story of God's prophet calls us to reflect on what it means to be God's people.

True worship is lived every day as we grow in our unique gifts for God's glory.

Psalm 50 is a reminder and re-enactment of God's faithful covenant with his people. It calls his people to repent and be transformed by a sacrificial fellowship meal.

No amount of money or power can save us from death—only God can ransom and redeem.

Psalm 48 invites us to become a people of prayer and presence as we are joined with Jesus, the true temple.

A call to celebrate our great and good God who is King!

Psalm 45 is a wedding celebration of beauty, justice, and faithfulness that finds its fullness in Jesus' return to make all things new.

Psalm 44 begins with praise and moves to protest and petition. What appears to be a lament of God's absence, in Jesus becomes assurance of his loving presence.

Psalms 42 and 43 wrestle with God through deep longing, honest questioning, and hopeful remembering.

Community is thread woven through the whole process of discerning the Spirit.

Holy desire can lead us toward the activity of the Holy Spirit.

Hearing God's whisper requires deep listening as we look back and reflect on our everyday experiences.

Bret Thorson